Locating device and method for locating tiles

ABSTRACT

A substantially planar locating device for locating tiles has a plurality of spacers upstanding from a first side of the device. The second side of the device is substantially planar for placing against a substantially planar surface. The device has a plurality of through holes extending through the device from the first side to the second side. In use, tiles can be placed against the first side of the device and be spaced apart from each other by the spacers. Adhesive can pass from the first side through the through holes to the second side to fix tiles to a surface against which the second side is placed.

[0001] The present invention relates to a locating device for and to amethod of locating tiles or other tile-like members.

[0002] Many problems are encountered when tiling a surface such as afloor or wall. For example, the surface to be tiled may be uneven,making it difficult to apply rigid tiles to the surface. In general, itcan also be difficult to space the tiles evenly apart. It can also bedifficult to ensure that the tiles are equally spaced from the floor orwall.

[0003] To space the tiles evenly apart, it is known to manufacturespacing lugs integrally with the tiles. This has the disadvantage thattwo additional configurations of tile are required, one for the outsideedges and one for the outside corners of the tiled arrangement.Producing different types of tile is expensive.

[0004] Another known method to space tiles evenly is to placecross-shaped spacers at the corners of the tiles. The material costs ofthis method are low but labour costs are high as the spacers aretroublesome to use. Alternatively, matchsticks, folded card and the likecan be placed between tiles. However, it is easy for these devices toslip and in any event they provide uneven spacing.

[0005] Moreover, the above techniques can lead to a cumulative spacingerror in both (typically orthogonal) directions, resulting in tilesbeing significantly out of square and/or out of true.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,470 describes a panel for mounting bricks.The panel has countersunk blind recesses. Nails or screws pierce therecesses, the heads of the nails or screws being received in therecesses. The nails or screws secure the panel to a wall. Adhesive isthen applied to the panel and bricks are placed on the adhesive.Frictional engagement with channel bars secures the bricks until theadhesive has sufficiently hardened. Mortar is also laid between thebricks.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,206 describes a building block holder whichsupports building blocks between tabs. The holder is secured to a wallusing nails. The panel has an inwardly extending flange to space theholder from the wall. Insulation material can be placed in the spaceprovided by the flange between the panel and the wall. Adhesive is usedto secure bricks to the panel. Holes or recesses are provided toaccommodate excess adhesive. Mortar is placed between the bricks.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a substantially planar locating device for locating tiles, thedevice comprising: a plurality of spacers upstanding from a first sideof the device; the second side of the device being substantially planarfor placing against a substantially planar surface; and, a plurality ofthrough holes extending through the device from the first side to thesecond side; whereby in use tiles can be placed against the first sideof the device and be spaced apart from each other by the spacers andadhesive can pass from the first side through the through holes to thesecond side to fix tiles to a surface against which the second side isplaced.

[0009] An advantage provided by the locating device of the presentinvention is that tiles can be fixed to a wall or floor or the likeusing a single application of adhesive as the adhesive can pass throughthe through holes of the device to contact the wall, floor, etc. againstwhich the second side of the device is placed in use. This increases thespeed with which tiles can be secured to a wall. The spacers of thedevice ensure that the tiles are arranged in the desired configurationwithout requiring any modification to the shape of the member or the useof separate spacing devices. The tiles can thus be evenly spaced fromeach other and from the wall in a simple manner.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a first set of the spacers extendsubstantially parallel to each other.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, a second set of the spacersextend substantially orthogonally to the first set of spacers.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a first set of spacers are spacedapart substantially equally. In another preferred embodiment, a secondset of spacers are spaced apart substantially equally. Tiles ofsubstantially equal size to the spacing between the spacers can beeasily spaced apart substantially equally thereby to provide a neatfinish. Typically, such tiles will be square or rectangular, thoughother shapes can be accommodated by appropriate arrangement of thespacers.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least oneprojection projecting outwardly from an edge of the device in the planeof the device, whereby the at least one projection can be received in acomplementary recess of a neighbouring device to connect the device anda said neighbouring device together. Said at least one projection mayhave at least one re-entrant edge.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least onerecess in an edge of the device in the plane of the device, whereby theat least one recess can receive a complementary projection of aneighbouring device to connect the device and a said neighbouring devicetogether. Said at least one recess may have at least one re-entrantedge.

[0015] When a plurality of devices are required, for example to tile alarge area, neighbouring devices can be easily aligned. Furthermore, byconnecting neighbouring devices together, the devices will help positioneach other, especially in the initial stages of use when the devices arefirst offered up to the wall or the like.

[0016] The device may comprise at least one recess in the first side forreceiving one or more heating elements. The heating elements may beelectrical heating elements, hot water pipes, etc. This embodimentenables heating elements to be easily and quickly located under tilesduring tiling. The device may have features, such as projectionspartially across the or each said recess for retaining the heatingelements in position.

[0017] In another embodiment, there is provided in combination, a deviceas described above and a plurality of pads that each have adhesivesurfaces on opposite sides, the pads being locatable in respectivethrough holes of the device to provide the adhesive that can pass fromthe first side to the second side of the device.

[0018] Such an embodiment permits very convenient installation of thecomplete system of locating device, adhesive and tiles without the useof any wet adhesive. The locating device means that the tiles can belocated accurately on initial application, which in turn means that theadhesive of the adhesive pads can be very strong, even on initialcontact, as it is unlikely that the tiles will have to be repositionedat all after the initial location. This all allows rapid and accuratefixing of tiles to a wall, floor or other surface and avoids the delaywhich would otherwise be caused by waiting for a wet adhesive to cure.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive pads are self-adhesiveand have their adhesive surfaces initially protected by a suitablereleasable medium, such as release paper.

[0020] The pads are preferably of substantially the same shape and sizeas the through holes.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of attaching a plurality of tiles to a substantiallyplanar surface using a substantially planar locating device having aplurality of spacers upstanding from a first side of the device, thesecond side of the device being substantially planar for placing againstthe substantially planar surface, and a plurality of through holesextending through the device from the first side to the second side; themethod comprising the steps of: placing the second side of the deviceagainst a substantially planar surface; aligning a tile with at leastsome of the spacers; and, pressing the tile onto the device such thatthe tile is held in position by adhesive and the tile is positioned byat least some of the spacers.

[0022] Adhesive may be applied to the substantially planar surfacethrough the holes in the device in sufficient quantity to allow the tileto be pressed directly onto the adhesive.

[0023] Adhesive may be applied to the substantially planar surfaceand/or the second side of the device before the second side of thedevice is placed against the substantially planar surface.

[0024] Adhesive may be applied to the first side of the device beforethe tile is pressed onto the device.

[0025] Adhesive may be applied to the tile before the tile is pressedonto the device.

[0026] Tiles can be secured to the device and the device can be securedto a wall using a single application of adhesive. This increases thespeed with which tiles can be secured to a wall using a device.

[0027] As an alternative, the adhesive may be in the form of pads thateach have adhesive surfaces on opposite sides, the pads being locatablein respective through holes of the device. The pads are preferably ofsubstantially the same shape and size as the through holes.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an example of a locating device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a projection and recess of anotherexample of a locating device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention; and,

[0031]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through adjacent locating devices inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to the drawing of FIG. 1, a substantially planarlocating device 10 has a generally square or rectangular shape. One side11 of the device 10 has upstanding spacers 12,14 in the form ofprojecting elongate ridges. A first set of the spacers 12 extends alongan axis substantially parallel to one side of the device 10 and a secondset of the spacers 14 extends perpendicularly to the first set ofspacers 12.

[0033] The distance between adjacent spacers 12,14 of the first andsecond sets is substantially the same as the width of a tile 16 to bestuck to the wall. The space 18 formed between spacers 12,14 may besquare or rectangular or another suitable shape for housingcorrespondingly shaped tiles. The spacers 12,14 may not necessarily formstraight lines. For example, the spacers 12,14 may be curved in theplane of the device 10 suitable for supporting curve shape tiles, or maybe arranged to provide support for hexagonal or other polygonal tiles.

[0034] The spacers 12,14 may extend continuously along the device 10 asshown or may extend discontinuously along the device 10. The spacers12,14 may for example be L shape, T shape or cross shape. L shape, Tshape or cross shape spacers 12,14 may be arranged so that they cansupport the corners or edges of a tile 16.

[0035] The surface of the space 18 between the spacers 12,14 may besubstantially smooth. Alternatively, the surface of the space 18 betweenspacers 12,14 may be rough to improve the adhesion of a tile 16 to thedevice 10. The surface of the space 18 between spacers 12,14 may haveindents (not shown). The indents may result in less material being usedto make the device 10 and/or the indents may improve the adhesion of atile 16 to the device 10.

[0036] The second side 13 of the device 10 is substantially planar. Thesurface of the second side 13 may be substantially smooth or may have atexture so that adhesive will adhere well to the surface. The surface ofthe second side 13 may additionally or alternatively have a series ofgrooves or other texturing to allow moisture emanating from the wall tobe conducted away.

[0037] The device 10 is provided with large through holes 20. Thethrough holes 20 extend from the first side 11 of the device 10 to thesecond side 13.

[0038] To attach the tiles 16 to a wall, the device 10 is firstpositioned against the wall. For example, the device 10 may be held byhand or nailed or stapled or screwed to the wall or adhesive may be usedbetween the device 10 and the wall. In another example, the second side13 of the device 10 may have sticky pads which can be used to tack thedevice 10 to the wall.

[0039] In one specific example, the through holes 20 of one space 18 arethen filled with adhesive. A tile 16 is then aligned with the spacers12,14 and pushed onto the adhesive so that the adhesive holds the tile16 to the wall. The device 10 is thus sandwiched between the tile 16 andthe wall. Further tiles 16 can then be stuck to the wall in the sameway. Adhesive may be placed through the through hole or holes 20 of morethan one space 18 between spacers 12,14 before plural tiles 16 arerespectively pushed onto the adhesive. In another specific example,after the device 10 is held against the wall, adhesive may be appliedonly to the tiles 16 which are then pressed against the device 10, theadhesive passing through the through holes 20 to fix the tiles 16 to thewall. In another example, adhesive may be applied both to the device 10and the tiles 16. The device 10 can bridge hollows or other uneven partsof the wall, such hollows or other uneven parts optionally being filledwith adhesive.

[0040] In the example shown, the device 10 is provided with rectangularprotrusions 22 along two adjacent edges of the device 10. The device 10is provided with corresponding recesses 24 along the other two edges ofthe device 10. A plurality of devices 10 can be joined together bymating protrusions 22 of one device 10 with corresponding recesses 24 ofan adjacent device 10. The protrusions 22 may be a shape other thanrectangular, for example triangular, semi-circular or part-circular.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the protrusions 22 andrecesses 24 each have at least one re-entrant edge, the embodiment shownhaving opposed re-entrant edges. This provides for quick and easylocation of the locating devices 10 relative to each other and a strongmechanical lock between adjacent locating devices 10.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each locating device 10 hasalong the whole or part of one or two edges a wedge-shape projection 28of triangular cross-section that mates with a correspondingly shapedrecess 30 in an adjacent locating device 10. This again allows for quickand easy location of the locating devices 10 relative to each other.

[0043] When a plurality of devices 10 are placed together, tiles 16 mayextend to bridge the devices 10 and thus the edges of the device 10 mayconveniently be a distance to the nearest parallel spacer 12,14 which ishalf the distance between adjacent parallel spacers 12,14. At the edgesof each device 10, half of each bridging tile 16 may be on one device 10and the other half of the tile 16 may be on another device 10. At thecorners of the devices 10, the bridging tile 16 may have a quarter ofits surface on each of four neighbouring devices 10. When the tiles 16extend to bridge devices 10 in this way, the tiles 16 themselves canhelp locate neighbouring devices 10 relative to each other.

[0044] The adhesive placed through the through holes 20 may be astandard tile-to-wall adhesive or a more suitably formulated adhesivebetter adapted to application by a gun and/or for multipoint adhesivecontact with the tiles. Where used, the adhesive used between the device10 and the wall may be a standard tile-to-wall adhesive or a moresuitably formulated adhesive better adapted for sticking the material ofthe device 10 to the wall.

[0045] Alternatively, the adhesive placed through the through holes 26may be in the form of pads that each have adhesive surfaces on bothsides. The adhesive surfaces may be of the self-adhesive type and mayinitially be covered by release paper. The pads are preferably of thesame shape and size as the through holes 26.

[0046] Countersunk recesses 26 may be provided in a portion of thedevice 10. These recesses 26 can accommodate the head of nails or screwsused to fix the device 10 to the wall. The nail head or screw head willthen not protrude into the space 18 provided for the tile 16.

[0047] The device 10 may be made from any suitable material such asexpanded polystyrene, polythene, PVC, fibre, fibreboard, compressedpaper, compressed cellulose, etc. The type, density and thickness of thematerial of the device 10 may be chosen for its thermal insulatingproperties to provide for insulation between the wall and the tiles 16,for its rigidity or flexibility, and/or for its ability to accommodateany unevenness of the wall.

[0048] The device 10 may be made in a range of formats and sizes inorder to accommodate different sizes, numbers, shapes and lay-outs oftiles 16.

[0049] The device 10 may have guides to guide cutting of the device 10.These guides may be marked on the device 10 or they may be moulded orotherwise formed on the device 10. The guides may be in a square grid.The device 10 may have indents or it may be scored so that the device 10may be broken along the indents or scoring. Having broken the device 10along the indents or scoring, the device 10 may be trimmed using forexample a knife.

[0050] Where used for locating floor tiles in particular, the first side11 of the device 10 may have channels or recesses. These can receiveunderfloor heating elements, such as electrical heating elements, hotwater pipes, or the like.

[0051] Whilst reference has been made particularly to fixing of tiles 16to walls, the device 10 may be used for fixing any tile-like member,i.e. a member having a thickness which is small compared to itswidth/length, and for fixing other members, such as bricks or the like,and to other surfaces, such as a floor.

[0052] An embodiment of the present invention has been described withparticular reference to the example illustrated. However, it will beappreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the exampledescribed within the scope of the present invention.

1. A substantially planar locating device for locating tiles, the devicecomprising: a plurality of spacers upstanding from a first side of thedevice; the second side of the device being substantially planar forplacing against a substantially planar surface; and, a plurality ofthrough holes extending through the device from the first side to thesecond side; whereby in use tiles can be placed against the first sideof the device and be spaced apart from each other by the spacers andadhesive can pass from the first side through the through holes to thesecond side to fix tiles to a surface against which the second side isplaced.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein a first set of thespacers extend substantially parallel to each other.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein a second set of the spacers extendsubstantially orthogonally to the first set of spacers.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a first set of spacers are spaced apartsubstantially equally.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein asecond set of spacers are spaced apart substantially equally.
 6. Adevice according to claim 1, comprising at least one projectionprojecting outwardly from an edge of the device in the plane of thedevice, whereby the at least one projection can be received in acomplementary recess of a neighbouring device to connect the device anda said neighbouring device together.
 7. A device according to claim 6,wherein said at least one projection has at least one re-entrant edge.8. A device according to claim 1, comprising at least one recess in anedge of the device in the plane of the device, whereby the at least onerecess can receive a complementary projection of a neighbouring deviceto connect the device and a said neighbouring device together.
 9. Adevice according to claim 8, wherein said at least one recess has atleast one re-entrant edge.
 10. A device according to claim 1, comprisingat least one recess in the first side for receiving one or more heatingelements.
 11. In combination, a device according to claim 1 and aplurality of pads that each have adhesive surfaces on opposite sides,the pads being locatable in respective through holes of the device toprovide the adhesive that can pass from the first side to the secondside of the device.
 12. A combination according to claim 11, wherein thepads are of substantially the same shape and size as the through holes.13. A method of attaching a plurality of tiles to a substantially planarsurface using a substantially planar locating device having a pluralityof spacers upstanding from the first side of the device, the second sideof the device being substantially planar for placing against thesubstantially planar surface, and a plurality of through holes extendingthrough the device from the first side to the second side; the methodcomprising: placing the second side of the device against asubstantially planar surface; aligning a tile with at least some of thespacers; and, pressing the tile onto the first side of the device suchthat the tile is held in position by adhesive and the tile is positionedby at least some of the spacers.
 14. A method according to claim 13,wherein adhesive is applied to the substantially planar surface throughthe holes in the device in sufficient quantity to allow the tile to bepressed directly onto the adhesive.
 15. A method according to claim 13,wherein adhesive is applied to the substantially planar surface and/orthe second side of the device before the second side of the device isplaced against the substantially planar surface.
 16. A method accordingto claim 13, wherein adhesive is applied to the first side of the devicebefore the tile is pressed onto the device.
 17. A method according toclaim 13, wherein adhesive is applied to the tile before the tile ispressed onto the device.
 18. A method according to claim 13, wherein theadhesive is in the form of pads that each have adhesive surfaces onopposite sides, the pads being locatable in respective through holes ofthe device.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the pads are ofsubstantially the same shape and size as the through holes.